Folding crate.



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(Applicationjled Dee: 18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MACK E. PCLHEMUS, OF EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 651,168, dated June 5,1900. Application filed December 18, 1899. Serial No. 740,793. (No model.)

To all whom t ntcty concern:

Be it known that I, MACK E. PoLHEMUs, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Eaton Rapids, in the county of Eaton and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Crates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to crates, and particularly to that class which fold or collapse.

The object of the invention is to provide novel means for binding the bars in such manner as to allow a pivotal movement at their intersectionat the corners of the crate.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide novel means for holding any one bar independently of the remaining bars, forif one of said bars becomes Worn or broken it may be removed and a new one substituted without disturbing the other bars.

Furthermore, the objects of the invention are to so form the bar-retainers that a protection is afforded to theend of said bars to prevent splitting or fracture and to so arrange the bar-retainers as to minimize the friction and prevent wear on the bars as the sections are swung on their pivots.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a novel means for applying the top and bottom to the crate and for rigidly retaining said top and bottom, as well as the sides and ends.

Finally, the object ofthe invention is to provide a crate which will possess advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and efliciency and prove at the same time comparatively inexpensive.

the same. Fig. Sis a transverse section of the crate, and Fig. lis a view in perspective of the retainer.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a series of bars forming the sides of thelcrate, and 2 a series for the ends. As in crates of usual construction, the side and end bars are alternately placed one above the other at their intersection near their ends, thus forming the corners. The inner faces of the bars are provided with grooves 3, approximately the depth of the diameter of the binding-wires 4, which are embedded therein. In the construction shown the binding-wire extends from the top to the bottom of the crate, through the strips 5, which are preferably heavier than the bars, in order to stand the wear incident to the use of the crate. The Wires are clenched orotherwise secured in grooves formed in the surfaces of the strips. The strips and wires are held in their relative positions by retainers 6, consisting, preferably, of square or rectangular plates each having a slot 7 extending from one edge to receive the bindingwvires. When the bars are assembled, a plate is applied to the edge of one of the bars with the bindingwires lying in the slot. The edges of the plate are then bent to lie against the sides of the bars, as fully shown, and when a plate is applied to the next succeeding bar in like manner the plates will be in contact, and when the sections of the crate are swung on the binding-wires, which act as pivots, the wear is confined to the plates. Two plates are required at each end of abar, one on each edge, and when for any reason a bar is to be removed it is only necessary to bend up the outer edge of each of the plates embracing the edge of a bar, when it may be taken out and the same plates used on the substituted bar.

The top 8 and bottom 9 are in all respects similar. Hence a detailed description of the construction and manner of securing the top will suffice as disclosing` both the top and bottom.

End cleats l0 and 11 are provided, the former being of such length as to extend from the inner surface of one side to the inner surface of the other side of the crate, or, in other IOO Words, it is of such length as to pass between the sides of the crate. greater length than the width of the crate, and hence its ends protrude on each side, and when the parts are assembled the ends rest on the upper edge of the top stay. The slats or bars of the top and bottom protrude beyond the cleats and are so positioned as to bear against the under surface of the strips 5 when the cleat 1l is resting on the top bar of the sides and when the opposite end is suspended by the hooks 12, said hooks being swingingly secured to the cleat in such manner as to permit the hooks toswing over and engage the upper surfaces of the strips 5, in which grooves 13 are formed for their reception.

The hooks may be retained in position against accidental displacement in any convenient manner.

The construction, operation, and advantages will, it is thought, be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be noted that changes in the proportions and other details of constrnctipn maybe resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having fully described the invention, what Iclaiin as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isl 1. 1n a crate, a series of intersecting side and end bars having transverse grooves, binding-wires in the grooves and means for re The cleat 11 is of taining the wires and bars in their proper relative positions.

2. In a crate, a series of intersecting end and side bars, a wire engaging the surfaces of the bars at the corners, retaining-plates having slots to receive the wires; said plates being Wider than the slats to which they are applied whereby they overlap the edges of the bars and protect the same.

3. In a crate, a series of intersecting side and end slats having coinciding grooves at their point of meeting, a binding-wire in the grooves, retaining and antifriction plates between the meeting edges of the bars, said plates having slots to receive the wires and being of such Width as to overlap the edges of the bars.

4. In a crate, a top and bottom comprising cleats and bars projecting beyond the cleats, one cleat being longer than the width of the crate and the other cleat shorter than the width thereof, hooks pivoted to the shorter cleats'and adapted to support one end while the bars ot' the top or bottoni bear against the strips and the/protruding ends of' the cleat engage the bars of the side.

1n testimony whereof I atix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

MACK E. POLIIEMUS.

Witnesses:

FRED J. SLAYTON, LILLIAN SLAYTON. 

